Wk 6 assignment/wk 7 assignment

p Othello 'S FATAL FLAW

Hamartia by Proxy

Name

Date

Course

Professors

Semester

The essential component to any tragedy , Greek or Shakespearean , is a protagonist with a fatal flaw . In Greek tragedy this is called hamartia . This Latin term translates directly into the word flaw but is usually used to describe an excess of a personality trait - virtue or vice . The protagonist 's fatal flaw pushes the the plot and action of the tragedy forward . It is this tragic flaw , which leads to the eventual downfall

of the character , his circumstances , and the denouement of the drama . In examining the bulk of the literature 's dominate male characters , no other character embodies the essential role of the flawed character like Othello . Without the flaw there would be no drama , and no irony and would have ended dismally with a sense of utter frustration and inadequacy . Many critics believe that Othello 's fatal flaw is his jealousy

Othello 's jealous is actually created by Iago . Iago is the driving force in this play and in most of the play the central character . He is calculating , selfish , and boring . However , he is able to cover up his motives and his actions from his close friend Othello and everyone else in the play . The audience is aware of his deceit and is a great example of dramatic irony . Dramatic irony is when the audience knows what is happening but no one else in the play does . Iago is the puppet master and Othello is the puppet . Iago asserts again and again "The Moor is of a free and open nature / That thinks men honest that but seem to be so / And will as tenderly be led by th ' nose / as asses are (Shakespeare I .iii .380-3

Iago also gets more speaking time and time on stage . While he is not consider the main character , he is sneaky and out shines Othello . Iago actually has more words then Othello . I think the name of the play is deceiving just like Iago is deceiving . It is Iago that has all the insights and the monologues . He is the character that interacts most with the audience . The audience is able to see not into Othello 's mind but right into Iago 's . Iago states

Most potent , grave , and reverend signiors

My very noble and approv 'd good masters

That I have ta 'en away this old man 's daughter

It is most true true , I have married her

The very head and front of my offending

Hath this Othello . ACT I Scene 3

Iago changes the game in this play because it is not a naturally occurring flaw of Othello 's that causes the death and destruction in this play . Iago creates this deadly flaw of jealous and maintains it throughout the play . Again and again , Iago manipulates Othello and all the audience can do is watch the all powerful Othello tremble and fall He is lead to destroy everything he has earned and loved

The idea...